Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorder

Sony Video Camera for CES 2016

The Sony FDR-AX53 is a palm-sized Handycam Camcorder that combines a Zeiss 20x optical zoom lens and a high-sensitivity image sensor to produce crisp and high-quality UHD 4K video. The Exmor R CMOS image sensor supports UHD 4K video capture at 24 or 30 fps using Sony's XAVC S codec and features pixels that are approximately 1.6x larger than the previous model for enhanced performance in all conditions, particularly low-light scenarios. The camcorder also features Sony's Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology to help produce smooth and stable footage throughout the zoom range. Further enhancements include improved autofocus speed and accuracy, a lower-noise built-in microphone, and a high-speed 1080p 120 fps recording mode to create high-resolution slow-motion content.

You can monitor your shots using the camcorder's 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen display with 921K dot resolution, or the high-resolution 0.24" 1,555K dot OLED EVF. For large-screen playback, an HDMI output port is also provided for connecting to your HDTV to large-screen. You can even 'trim' a selected portion of a 4K video or image frame to fill the screen with Full HD quality. For enhanced connectivity and remote control, the FDR-AX53 is Wi-Fi and NFC enabled. This lets you use your smartphone or tablet to control the camcorder, as well as wirelessly transfer files to your mobile device and even stream live to Ustream.

Designed for a wide range of users, the camcorder features a range of automatic image and audio options for easy point-and-shoot operation, as well as enhanced manual controls that give you more creative freedom. An assignable ring on the front of the camcorder can be assigned to control of zoom, focus, exposure, iris, shutter speed, exposure, or white balance. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack is included for powering the camcorder, along with an AC adapter, micro-HDMI cable, and micro-USB cable.

Features

• 4K Ultra HD 24/30p & 16.6MP Stills
• Exmor R CMOS Sensor
• 26.8mm Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* Zoom Lens
• 20x Optical Zoom & 40x Clear Image Zoom
• Balanced Optical SteadyShot
• Fast Intelligent AF
• High Speed 120 fps Recording
• 3.0" LCD Touchscreen / 0.24" Colour EVF
• 5.1 Channel Surround Sound Microphone
• Wi-Fi / NFC Connectivity

Exmor R CMOS Sensor

A newly developed image sensor, with pixels of approximately 1.6 times larger than previous models, offers enhanced sensitivity for capturing high-quality images with less noise under dark as well as bright shooting conditions.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens with 20x Optical Zoom

The Sony FDR-AX53 comes equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. It features a wide 35mm-equivalent focal length of 26.8mm (in movie mode) to fit more into your shots and a 20x optical zoom range. Multi-layer Zeiss T* coating further enhances image quality by reducing unwanted reflection, such as ghost and flare. To get you closer to the action, the zoom range can be extended using Clear Image Zoom of 30x/40x (4K/HD) using Clear Image zoom.

Balanced Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilisation

Advanced image stabilisation suppresses camera shake to stabilise footage as it is being shot and works throughout the zoom range. In HD shooting mode, it further reduces effects of camera shake even under unstable conditions with 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensating for vibration in five different directions, so you can shoot stable high-quality movies even while running.

Fast Intelligent AF

Fast Intelligent AF achieves very speedy, accurate contrast-detection autofocus by minimizing lens motion, predicting the AF range, and accelerating lens drive, thereby improving response so you can capture more fleeting moments.

5.1 Channel On-Board Audio Capture

During AVCHD recording, a 5.1 channel built-in microphone captures active sounds coming from five directions so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording. Level meters on the LCD panel provide visual monitoring of each channel's levels.

Note: 5.1 channel audio is only available when recording in AVCHD, so it is not available for 4K UHD recording, which uses the XAVC S codec.

Lower Noise Audio Performance

A new structural design enables the microphone to gather clearer sound from five directions than the previous generation camcorder, with approx. 40% less noise and twice as effective 2ch stereo (for XAVC S shooting) and three times as effective Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround (for AVCHD shooting) sound performance. This makes it possible to faithfully reproduce audio with clearly defined separation.

High-Speed Full HD Recording

Shoot in 1080p at 120 fps and bring it into your editing software to produce high-resolution slow-motion footage. This is useful for reviewing, in greater slow-motion detail, sports and everyday action that can occur too quickly in real time for you to see clearly.

XAVC S, AVCHD, and MP4 Codecs

The FDR-AX53 records 4K and HD movies in the XAVC S format, which uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 for video compression and linear PCM for audio compression, while saving files in an MP4 wrapper which allows for extensive record times and easy editing. Additionally, you can choose to record HD in AVCHD (ideal for HDTV and Blu-ray disc burning) or MP4 (ideal for sharing over the internet).

Dual Video Recording

Record two movies at the same time - one in the maximum-quality XAVC S or AVCHD format and another in MP4 format. This gives you a small file ready for instant sharing, plus a professional-grade file for further editing.

4K Time-Lapse

Capture 4K still images continuously over an extensive period of time at a selected constant interval from each shot to the next, edit the entire sequence of still images in post-production, and enjoy playback of that series of images as a time-lapse movie.

Super-Sampled Full HD Playback

Enhance your viewing experience even without a 4K television. Using super-sampling, the camera automatically down-converts 4K footage to exceptionally detailed Full HD.

Time Code / User Bit

Time Code and User Bit can be added to movies as data elements. The Time Code function records hours/minutes/seconds/frames on image data for precise advanced video editing. User Bit function records information such as date, time, and scene number in eight-digit arbitrary numbers, and is useful for editing movies using two or more cameras.

0.24" OLED EVF

The high contrast 0.24" OLED Tru-Finder EVF features a 1,555K-dot resolution and reproduces rich colour and deep blacks. The optical design uses four dual-surface spherical lenses, which provides a wide 33-degree viewing angle for clear images from centre to the edge of the viewfinder.

3.0" Xtra Fine LCD Touchscreen Display

The 3.0" Clear Photo LCD features 921K dot resolution for sharp, bright, vivid images, enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene. Easily scroll through menus and view footage thanks to WhiteMagic technology that dramatically increases visibility in bright daylight.

Simple Connectivity to Smartphones via Wi-Fi/NFC

Built-in Wi-Fi/NFC support enables easy connectivity with smartphones for one-touch sharing and one-touch remote control. NFC (near field communication) provides "touch connection" convenience when transferring images to Android smartphones and tablets. You simply touch your NFC-compatible device to the camcorder to establish a connection.

Live Streaming

Share the adventure as it happens via Ustream live streaming. Now your circle of friends and family can share the excitement in real time by simply logging in to UStream from anywhere. You can also link your favourite social accounts to notify your friends when you start streaming video.

Multi-Camera Control

Add a different point of view by including other camera angles to your movies. Connect to up to five compatible Sony cameras via Wi-Fi and use the camcorder's LCD to preview what the other cameras are seeing and simultaneously start recording on all synced cameras. After recording, you can use the PlayMemories Home software (available as a free download on Sony's website) to easily edit and create multi-view movies.

Highlight Movie Maker

Highlight Movie Maker produces a short highlight movie clip to share and enjoy instantly. Using an advanced algorithm based on the motion gyro, Highlight Movie Maker automatically selects the best scenes from your videos and creates an MP4 highlight reel of your recorded action.

Note: Highlight Move Maker is only available in AVCHD.

Intelligent AUTO Mode

Intelligent AUTO mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes and wind noise reduction. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod, Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, and Low light.

Multi Interface Accessory Shoe

Expand photographic and movie shooting possibilities by attaching optional accessories via the Multi Interface Shoe. Attach an electronic viewfinder, external flash, stereo microphone, or even a compatible remote control via the Multi Terminal.

Trimming Playback

Connect to your 1080p HDTV via the camcorder's HDMI output and select a specific portion of the 4K picture for playback; you can move the section using the camcorder's menu toggle, and scale it using the zoom lever.

Manual Control Ring

The manual control ring around the lens opening can be assigned to control zoom, focus, exposure, iris, shutter speed, exposure, or white balance.